Is there another glimmer of hope? The co-founder of Oceangate, which operates the tiny submarine Titan, believes the trapped passengers "have more time than most people think."
Guillermo Sonlein, who co-founded Oceangate with Stockton Rush, who is inside the capsule, said he last spoke to him about two weeks ago. "Today is the fateful day in the search mission," he said. "I am convinced that Stockton and the other passengers realized days ago that the best thing they can do to ensure their rescue is to remain calm. I am convinced that the window of time to save them is greater than most people think. I cross my fingers for my friend and the rest of the team."
U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral John Mugger also said that when talking about rescue prospects, "the will of the passengers to live" must also be taken into account." According to him, the objectives of the operation are still search and rescue.
Rear Admiral John Mauger, First District Commander for the US Coast Guard, tells @JayneSeckerSky that they are grateful for all assistance in the search for the missing Titan sub
"We remain hopeful"https://t.co/4560YhOK6P
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At the bottom of the sea is the French robot "Victor 6000" that arrived on the scene a few hours ago. In the coming hours, another robot, the British Juliet, is expected to join him. Beyond them, planes and ships are participating in the search, and everyone is also waiting for broadcasts that may be picked up again by buoys scattered in the field. The big problem is that the search area is still very large, and despite the clicking sounds heard over the past two days, rescuers have not yet been able to connect all the dots to narrow down the search area.
The five passengers in the capsule (top right, clockwise): Rush, father and son Dowd, Narjola and Harding, photo: AFP
If the knocks did come from the submarine, it is quite possible that the material used in its construction was detrimental to the passengers. The reason: the hull of the submarine between the domes is made of carbon fiber. In the past, engineers and oceanographers have warned that the material is not properly tested to withstand the enormous pressures in the depths of the ocean and cannot serve as an alternative to conventional titanium or steel. Today, Frank Owen, an expert in underwater search and rescue, reminded that banging on carbon fiber would just sound muffler. "It's like knocking on a log instead of a bell," Owen told the BBC.
Reminder: The Titan plunged into Atlantic waters on Sunday with enough oxygen for five people for 96 hours. According to this calculation, at 14:18 p.m. on Thursday, oxygen was supposed to run out and lead to the deaths of those trapped. If they were somehow able to avoid increased oxygen consumption due to understandable panic, oxygen may be consumed at a slower rate.
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